CA2496324A1 - Planer and thicknesser - Google Patents

Abstract

A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame; an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table; a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way; a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting; a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it is adjacent the upper table and covers the lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum which projects upwardly through the slot to a second position where it is above and away from the upper table characterised in that the cover can be moved perpendicularly relative to the plane of the upper table from the first position to the second position.

Description

PLANER AND THICKNESSER
The present invention relates to a planer and thicknesser.
A typical planer and thicknesser comprises a box like frame comprising a horizontal rectangular upper table and a base connected to each other along their longer sides by two side walls. The horizontal upper table is located directly above the rectangular base. A first aperture is formed by one of the shorter ends of the upper table and by the base and one end of each of the two side walls.
Similarly, a second aperture is formed on the opposite side of the rectangular box frame by the other shorter end of the upper table and the other end of the base, together with the other ends of each of the side walls. A passage way connects the two apertures to each other.
The upper table is constructed from two rectangular sections, a front section and a rear section. The two sections of the upper table are constructed from single rectangular sheets of metal having smooth top surfaces. The top surface of the front section is parallel to the top surface of the rear section. Both the top surfaces are smooth so I that a work piece can be slid across their surfaces. The height of the front section can be adjusted relative to the height of the rear section. The two sections are separated by a slot.
A horizontal lower table is located movably within the passage way. The plane of the lower table is parallel to that of the upper table. The lower table is constructed as a single rectangular sheet of metal having a smooth top surface. The lower table extends through the full length of the passage way from the first aperture to the second aperture. The width of the table is slightly less than that the width of the passage way. The table is mounted in such a manner that it can be moved vertically upwards or downwards, the top surface of the table remaining horizontal at all times during this process.
A cutting drum is rotatably mounted between the two side walls in such a manner that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of the side walls and parallel to the planes of the upper and lower tables. The cutting drum can be rotatably driven by an electric motor mounted within the base. The axis of rotation of the cutting drum is located below the upper table.
A part of the periphery of the cutting drum along its length extends upwardly through the slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table.
Each of two cutting blades are mounted within a groove of the cutting drum which runs along the length of the cutting drum in well known manner parallel to the axis of rotation. The cutting blades of the cutting drum can be used to cut work pieces in well known manner which are either slid across the upper table in one direction or are slid across the lower table in the other direction.
The cutting drum is located so that, as the cutting drum rotates, the maximum height of the cutting blade mounted within the cutting drum through the slot is approximately the same as that of the height of the rear section of the upper table, the height of the rear section being fixed relative to the frame.
Two drive rollers are mounted on either side of the cutting drum between the side walls in such a manner that their axes of rotation are parallel to that of the cutting drum. The two drive rollers are rotatably driven by the same electric motor which is used to drive cutting drum. The function of the two drive rollers is to force any work pieces which are fed into the rectangular passageway to slide across the lower table and engage with the cutting blades at the lowest point as the rotating cutting drum rotates.
A planer and thicknesser can be used in two different modes of operation.
In the first mode of operation, a workpiece is slid across the upper table in order to remove the surface of the work piece which is adjacent to the smooth top surface of the upper table. The height of the front section of the upper table determines the amount of material which is to removed from the work piece.
First, the height of the front section is adjusted so that the cutting action of the rotating drum removes the right thickness of material from the lower surface of the work piece. Second, the cutting drum is then rotatingly driven by the electric motor. Whilst the cutting drum is rotating, the work piece is then slid across the front section of the upper table until it engages with the cutting blade of the cutting drum as it rotates, which repeatedly passes through the slot between the front and rear sections .
It is then pushed onto the rear section of the upper table across the rotating cutting drum.
As the work piece passes over the rotating blades of the cutting drum, the cutting blades remove material from the underside of the work piece.
In the second mode of operation, a work piece is slid across the smooth surface of the lower table in order to remove the top surface of the work piece. The height of the lower table within the passageway determines the amount of material which will be removed from the top surface of the work piece as it is passes through the passageway. First, the height of the lower table is adjusted so that the cutting action of the rotating drum removes the correct thickness of material from the top surface of the work piece. Second, the cutting drum is then rotatingly driven by the electric motor. Whilst the cutting drum is rotating, the work piece is slid across the lower table, until the upper surface of the work piece engages with the rotating cutting blades of the cutting drum as a cutting drum rotates. As a work piece passes under the cutting blades, cutting blades remove material from the topside of the workpiece. The two drive rollers, which are also being rotatingly driven by the electric motor force the work piece through the passageway.
However, there are a number of problems associated with existing designs of planer and thicknessers.
The object of the present invention is to improve the design and construction of the planer and thicknessers.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;

a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting;
a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it is adjacent the upper table and covers the lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum which projects upwardly through the slot to a second position where it is above and away from the upper table characterised in that the cover can be moved perpendicularly relative to the plane of the upper table from the first position to the second position.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
characterised in that there is provided at least one extension to the lower table which attaches to one end of the lower table and extends from the end of lower table through one of the apertures and away from the frame.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;

an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper 5 lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table, the side fence assembly comprising a pivotal guard characterised in that the pivotal guard is mounted on to the frame via a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism comprising at least one bracket connected to the guard and a second bracket connected to the frame;
one bracket comprising an arcuate slot;
the second bracket comprising an aperture;
the two brackets being moveable relative to each other so that the aperture can be aligned with any part of the arcuate slot; and a holding member which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which is capable or releasably locking one bracket to the other to prevent any relative movement between the two.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;

a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table, the side fence assembly comprising a guard;
characterised in that the guard is mounted on to the frame via a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;
a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table of a planer and thicknesser;
the side fence assembly comprising a pivotal guard characterised in that the pivotal guard is mounted on to the frame via a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism comprising at least one bracket connected to the guard and a second bracket connected to the frame;
one bracket comprising an arcuate slot;
the second bracket comprising an aperture;
the two brackets being moveable relative to each other so that the aperture can be aligned with any part of the arcuate slot; and a holding member which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which is capable or releasably locking one bracket to the other to prevent any relative movement between the two.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table of a planer and thicknesser, the side fence assembly comprising a guard;
characterised in that the guard is mounted on to the frame via a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;

a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
wherein the front section of the upper table is mounted onto the frame via a height adjustment mechanism;
characterised in the height adjustment mechanism comprises a guide mechanism to control the direction of movement of the front section relative to the frame and a drive mechanism to enable a person move the front section;
the guide mechanism comprise a telescopic guide comprising a first part mounted onto the frame and a second part telescopically connected to the first part mounted to the front section of the upper table.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
two rollers located within the passageway;
and a motor for rotatingly driving the rollers and cutting drum characterised in that the motor is capable of rotatingly driving a drive gear via a belt 178 which in turn drives a driven gear 164 which rotatingly drives a drive cog, the drive cog in turn rotatingly driving a chain which meshes with cogs 156, 158 mounted on the ends of each of the rollers 156, 158 to rotate the rollers.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum; and a dust extractor;
characterised in that the dust extractor is capable of being connected to the underside of the upper table when the upper table is being used and being connected to top of the upper table when the lower table is being used.
An embodiment of each of the above inventions will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:-Figure 1 shows a sketch of a perspective view of an outline of a planer and thicknesser;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cover which can be used to the slot through which the periphery of the rotating cutting drum and cutting blades project on the upper table when the cutting drum is rotating;
Figure 3 shows the height adjustment mechanism of the cover of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows an extension to the lower table;
Figure 5 shows the side fence assembly;
Figure 6 shows a side view of the tilt mechanism of the side fence assembly with the guard at a first angle of tilt;
Figure 7 shows a side view of the tilt mechanism of the side fence assembly with the guard at a second angle of tilt;
Figures 8 and 9 shows a side view of the slide mechanism of the side fence assembly ;
Figure 10 shows a slide guide;
Figure 11 shows the drive mechanism for controlling the movement of the front section of the upper table;
Figure 12 shows the drive mechanism for the two rollers and cutting drum;
Figure 93 shows the two rollers;
Figures 14 and 15 show the height adjustment mechanism of the lower table;
Figures 16 and 17 show the mounting mechanism of the rear section of the upper table;
Figure 18 shows a top perspective view of the dust extractor;
Figures 19 and 20 show the dust extractor above and below the upper table respectively;
Figure 21 shows a rear view of the planer and thicknesser;
Figure 22 shows a downward front view of the planer and thicknesser;
Figure 23 shows a front view of the planer and thicknesser;
Figure 24 shows a side view of the planer and thicknesser; and Figure 25 shows a view from the other side of the planer and thicknesser.
The planer and thicknesser comprises a rectangular box like frame 2 comprising a horizontal rectangular upper table 4 and a rectangular base 6 connected to each other along their longer sides by two vertical sidewalls 8,10. The horizontal upper table 4 is located directly above and runs parallel to the rectangular base 6. A first rectangular aperture 12 is formed by one of the shorter ends of the upper table 4 and of the base and one end of each of the two side walls 8,10.
Similarly, a second rectangular aperture is formed on the opposite side of the rectangular box frame 2 by the other two shorter ends of the upper table 4 and rectangular base 6 and the other ends of each of the side walls. A passage way 22, 5 of rectangular cross-section, connects the two rectangular apertures 12 to each other, the two rectangular apertures 12 being substantially parallel to each other.
The upper table 4 is constructed from two rectangular sections, a front section 4 and a rear section 16. The two sections 14,16 of the upper table are constructed 10 from single rectangular sheets of metal having smooth top surfaces. The top surtace of the front section is parallel to the top surface of the rear section. Both the top surfaces are smooth so that a work piece can be slid across their surfaces.
The height of the front section 14 can be adjusted relative to the height of the rear section 16. The mechanism by which the height is adjusted will be described in more detail below. The two sections 14,16 are separated by a slot 18.
A horizontal lower table 20 is located movably within the rectangular passage way 22. The plane of the lower table is parallel to that of the upper table.
The lower table 20 is constructed as single rectangular sheet of metal having a smooth top surface. The lower table 20 extends through the full length of the passage way from the first aperture 12 to the second aperture. The width of the table 20 is slightly less than that the width of the passage way 22. The table is mounted in such a manner that it can be moved vertically upwards or downwards indicated by Arrow A
in Figure 1, the top surface of the table 20 remaining horizontal at all times during this process. The mechanism by which the lower table 20 is moved up and down is described in more detail below.
A cutting drum 24 is rotatably mounted between the two side walls 8,10 in such a manner that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of the side walls 8,10 and parallel to the planes of the upper and lower tables 4,20. The cutting drum 24 can be rotatably driven by an electric motor (not shown) mounted within the base 6 of the rectangular box frame 2. The mechanism by which the cutting drum 24 is rotatably driven by the electric motor is described in more detail below.

A part 26 of the periphery of the cutting drum along its length extends through the slot between the front and rear sections 14,16 of the upper table 4.
Two cutting blades 28 are mounted within a groove of the cutting drum 24 which runs along the length of the cutting drum 24 in well known manner parallel to the axis of rotation. The cutting blades 28 of the cutting drum can be used to cut work pieces in well known manner which are either slid across the upper table 4 in one direction or are slid across the lower table 20 in the other direction.
The cutting drum 24 is located so that, as the cutting drum 24 rotates, the maximum height of the cutting blades 28 mounted within the cutting drum 24 through the slot 18 is the same as that of the height of the rear section 16 of the upper table, the height of the rear section 16 being fixed.
Two drive rollers 30,32 are mounted on either side of the cutting drum between the side walls in such a manner that their axes of rotation are parallel to that of the cutting drum 24. The two drive rollers 30,32 are rotatably driven by the same electric motor which is used to drive cutting drum 24. The mechanism by which the electric motor rotatingly drives the two drive rollers 30,32 is described in more detail below.
The function of the two drive rollers 30,32 is to force any work pieces which are fed into the rectangular passageway 22 to slide across the lower table 20 and engage with the cutting blades 28 as it passes below the axis of rotation of rotating cutting drum 24 at its lowest point The planer and thicknesser can be used in two different modes of operation.
In the first mode of operation, a workpiece is slid across the upper table 4 in order to remove the surface of the work piece which is adjacent to the smooth top surface of the upper table 4. The height of the front section 14 of the upper table 4 determines the amount of material which is to removed from the work piece. The height of the front section 14 is adjusted so that the cutting action of the rotating drum 24 removes the right thickness of material from the lower surface of the work piece.
The cutting drum 24 is then rotatingly driven by the electric motor. Whilst the cutting drum 24 is rotating, the work piece is slid across the front section 14 of the upper table until it engages with the cutting blade 28 of the cutting drum 24 as it rotates, which repeatedly passes through the slot 18 between the front 14 and rear 16 sections. It is then slid onto the rear section 16 of the upper table across the rotating cutting drum 24. As the work piece passes over the rotating blades 28 of the cutting drum 24, the cutting blades 28 remove material from the underside of the work piece.
In the second mode of operation, a work piece is slid across the smooth surface of the lower table 20 in order to remove the top surface of the work piece.
The height of the lower table 20 within the passageway 22 determines the amount of material which will be removed from the top surface of the work piece as it is passes through the passageway 22. The height of the lower table is adjusted so that the cutting action of the rotating drum 24 removes the correct thickness of material from the top surface of the work piece. The cutting drum 24 is then rotatingly driven by the electric motor. Whilst the cutting drum 24 is rotating, the work piece is slid across the lower table 20, until the upper surface of the work piece engages with the rotating cutting blades 28 of the cutting drum 24 as a cutting drum 24 rotates. As a work piece passes under the cutting blades 28, the cutting blades 28 remove material from the topside of the workpiece. The two drive rollers 30,32, which are also being rotatingly driven by the electric motor force the work piece through the passageway 22.
When the planer and thicknesser is being used in the second mode of operation, it is desirable to place a cover over the slot 28 in the upper table through which the periphery of the rotating cutting drum 24 and cutting blades 28 project.
The construction of such a cover according to the present embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
The cover comprises a curved rectangular shield 34 which extends across the width of the planer and thicknesser above the upper table 4. The curved shield has a length that is slightly longer than the width of the two sections 14,16 of the upper table 4. The width of the curved shield 34 is sufficient to fully cover the slot 18 between the front and rear sections 14,16 of the upper table 4 and to enable the longer edges 36 of the curved shield 34 to engage with the front and rear sections 14,16 of the upper table respectively. The shield 34 is curved so that when it is placed against the upper table 4, with the lengthwise edges 36 of the curved shield engaging with the front and rear sections 14,16 of the upper table, it surrounds the part 26 of cutting drum 24, which is circular, or cutting blades 28 which protrude through the slot 18 between the front and rear sections 14,16 without however having any contact with the cutting blades 28 or cutting drum 24, allowing it to freely rotate when the shield 34 is placed over the slot.
The curved shield 34 is slidably supported below a mount 38. The curved shield 34 is capable of sliding within the mount 38 in a direction parallel to that of the axis of rotation of the cutting drum 24 and longitudinal axis of the slot 18 i.e. across the width of the upper table 4. This enables the curved shield 34 to be slid out of the way from the slot 18 to allow the upper table 4 to be used when the planer and thicknesser is being used in its first mode of operation. At one end of the curved shield 34, there is located a stop 40 which prevents the curved shield from sliding too far through the mount 38. A threaded bolt (not shown) threadedly engages with the mount so that rotation of the bolt causes the bolt to screw into or out of the mount 38 vertically. When the bolt is screwed into the mount 38, the lower end of the bolt engages with the upper surface of the curved shield 34 to lock the curved shield 34 in position relative to the mount 38 in order to prevent it from sliding within the mount.
A knob 42 is attached to the opposite upper end of the threaded bolt to enable the user to screw the bolt into or out of the mount 38.
The mount 38 is attached to a side wall 10 of the planer and thicknesser via a telescopic frame. The frame enables a user to adjust the height of the mount 38, and hence the curved shield 34 above the upper table 4. The frame comprises two sections, a lower frame section 44 comprising a lower metal tube of square cross-section mounted on the side wall 10 of the planer and thicknesser so that the longitudinal axis of the lower metal tube is substantially vertical, and an upper frame section 46 comprising an upper metal tube similarly of square cross-section, and a horizontal metal bar48. The upper metal tube 46 has a smaller cross-sectional area to enable it to slide into or out of the lower metal tube 44. A hole (not shown) is formed in a side of the lower frame section 44 which is threaded to allow a bolt 50 to be screwed into or out of the lower metal tube 44. A handle 52 is attached to one end of the bolt 50. The bolt 50 is used to secure the position of the upper metal tube 46 within the lower metal tube 44 by the end of the bolt 50 within the lower metal tube 44 engaging with the side of the upper metal tube 46.
The metal bar 48, which extends sideways from the upper metal tube 46 of the upper frame section, connects the mount 38to the upper metal tube 46.
In use, an operator is able to lower or raise the mount 38, thereby lowering or raising the curved shield 34 by unscrewing the bolt 50 using the handle 50, so that the end of the bolt disengages from the side of the of the upper metal tube 46, sliding the upper metal tube into or out of the lower metal tube 44, and then screwing the bolt 50 into the lower metal tube 44 so that the end engages with the side of the upper metal tube 46, thus locking it in a preset position thereby locking it and the mount 38 at a predetermined height.
A vertical elongate slot 54 is formed in another wall of the lower metal tube.
A
second bolt 56 is screwed into the side of the upper metal tube 46, the head of which passing through the slot 54. The function of the slot 54 and the bolt 56 is to limit the range of vertical movements of the upper metal tube 46 within the lower metal tube 44 and to also prevent it from being removed from the lower metal tube 44.
By the adjustments of the height of the mount 38 and by the sliding movements of the curved shield 34 within the mount 38, an operator is able to move the curved shield 34 into a position where it covers the part 26 of the rotating cutting drum 24 and blades 28 projecting upwardly through the slot 18, to a position where it is out of the way of the part 26 of cutting drum 24 and cutting blades 28 projecting upwardly through the slot 18 to allow the upper table 4 to be freely used in the first mode of operation of the planer and thicknesser.
The construction of an extension to the lower table 20 to the present embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure The extension comprises two extension bars 58,60 of the same shape are attached to the end 62 of the lower table 20 and which extend horizontally and parallel to each other in the plane of the lower table 20 away from the lower table 20 out through one of the apertures 12 and away from the rectangular box frame 2.
Two extension rods 64,66 connect between the two extension bars 58,60. The two extension rods 64,66 are fixed in parallel, one 64 being connected between the two 5 ends of the extension bars 58,60, the other 66 being attached between the two bars 58,60 part way along the length of the two bars.
Both the front 14 and rear 16 sections of the upper table 4 of the planer and thicknesser are securely attached to the rectangular box frame 2 (though the height 10 of the front section 14 can be adjusted relative to the rectangular box frame). As such, access to the lower table 20 by the operator is made difficult. This results in the operator having difficulty in feeding the work piece into the aperture 12 prior to it being passed through the passageway 22. By providing an extension to the lower table 20, its enables the operator to feed the work piece into the planer and 15 thicknesser when it is being used in its second mode of operation with greater ease.
The construction of the side fence assembly according to the present embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 5 to 9.
Mounted on the side of the rectangular box frame 2 adjacent the side of the upper table 4 is a side fence assembly. The side fence assembly comprises a guard 68 which extends along a substantial part of the length of the upper table 4.
The guard 68 has a smooth surtace 70 along which a work piece can be slid as it is passed over the upper table 4. The function of the side fence assembly is to assist the operator in guiding the work piece over the upper table 4 when removing material from the lower surface of the work piece. The operator can push the work piece against the smooth surtace 70 of the guard 68 and then slide the work piece along the surtace 70 of the guard, as well as over the top surface of the upper table in order to control the movement of the work piece.
The smooth surface 70 of the guard 68 is capable of being angled relative to the plane of the surface of the upper table through a range of angular positions. This range of positions include having the smooth surface 70 of the guard being perpendicular to the plane of the upper table 4 as shown in Figure 6 or at an angle where the guard is approaching the 45 degrees to the plane of the upper table 4 as shown in Figure 7. The mechanism by which the guard 68 can be tilted relative to the plane of the table 4 is herein referred to as the tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism only allows the surface 70 of a guard 68 to be pivoted about a horizontal axis, In addition, the guard 68 can be slid backwards and forwards across the width of the surface of the upper table in a direction which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotating cutting drum 24. The mechanism by which the guard 68 is slid relative to the upper table 4 is referred to as the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism does not enable the guard 68 to pivot in any way.
The tilt mechanism will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7.
Referring to Figure 5, two brackets 72 are attached to the rear of the guard 68.
The brackets 72 are mounted side by side, in parallel to each other and project rearwardly from the guard 68. Each bracket 72 is manufactured from a sheet of metal. An arcuate slot 74 is formed in each of the brackets 72 which runs from the top of the bracket to the base of the bracket in a curved manner as shown. The arcuate slot 74 in each bracket 72 are located in a corresponding position to the arcuate slot 74 in the other bracket in symmetrical fashion.
The slide mechanism, which is described in more detail below, comprises a slide piece 76. The slide piece is formed from cast metal. Formed on one end of the slide piece of two integral brackets 78 which extend upwardly and in parallel to each other. An aperture is formed in each of the brackets which is aligned with the aperture in the other bracket 78. The two brackets 78 of the slide piece 76 locate between the two brackets 72 attached to the rear of the guard 68, each of the brackets 78 on the slide piece being flush with a corresponding bracket 72 mounted on the rear of the guard 68 as shown.
A bolt (not visible) passes through the arcuate slot 74 of one of the brackets attached to the rear of the guard 68, through the aperture formed in one of the brackets 78 on the slide piece 76 which is flush with that bracket 72, across the gap between the two integral brackets 78 on the slide piece 76, through the aperture of the other bracket 78 on the slide piece 76, through the arcuate slot 74 of the second bracket 72 mounted on the rear of guard 68 flush with that bracket 78. A
handle 80 is attached to one end of the bolt and a nut 82 is screwed onto the other end.
Between the handle 80 and the side of the bracket 72 on the guard 68 adjacent the handle 80 is a washer 84 having an outer diameter which is greater than the width of the accurate slots 74 but an inner diameter which is less than that of the base of the handle 80. Located on the other end of the bolt between the nut 82 and the other bracket 72 mounted on the rear of the guard 68 adjacent the nut 82, is a second washer (not visible) which also has a diameter greater than the size of the accurate slot 74 in that bracket 72 and an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the nut 82. The bolt passes through the length of a metal tube 84 which is located between the two brackets formed on the slide piece 76. The diameter of the tube 84 is greater than that of the holes formed through the brackets 78 in the slide piece 76. The length of the tube 84 is the same as that of the size of the gap between the brackets 78 on the slide piece 76.
The tilt mechanism is operated by tightening the bolt and nut 82 using the handle 80 which causes each pair of adjacent brackets 72,78 mounted on the rear of the guard 68 and the slide piece 76 to be sandwiched between the adjacent end of the tube 84 surrounding the bolt and the washer located on the other side of the adjacent pair of brackets 72,78. In order to loosen the tilt mechanism, the bolt and nut 82 unscrewed using the handle 80, releasing the sandwiching pressure on the two pairs brackets 72,78 allowing the guard 68 to be tilted to an appropriate angle.
The guard 68 is tilted by sliding the bolt within the arcuate slots 74 until the guard is at the correct position. Once located at the appropriate angle, the bolt and nut 82 are tightened again, reapplying the sandwiching force onto the two adjacent brackets 72,78 preventing any further movement of the guard 68. Figure 6 shows a guard in a vertical position whilst Figure 7 shows a guard is an angled position with the bolt located in a different part of the accurate slots 74.
The slide mechanism will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5, 8 and 9.

The slide mechanism comprises the slide piece 76 and a guide support 86.
The guide support 86 is mounted onto the side of the frame 2 of the planer and thicknesser adjacent to the side of the upper table 4 by the use of two bolts 88 which attach the guide support 86 into the side wall of the rectangular box frame 2.
The guide support 86 comprises a channel 40 having a uniform cross-section which extends in parallel to the axis of rotation to the cutting drum 24. The channel 90 comprises two side walls 92 which are angled relative to the vertical, the width of the channel 90 expanding the further away from the base you travel. The base 94 of the channel 90 is flat and horizontal. Two ridges 96 run along the length of the channel as shown in a symmetrical fashion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel 90. A hole is formed vertically through the guide support 86, the entrance of which is located centrally in the surface of the base 94 of the channel 90. A
bolt 98 is located within the aperture, the head of the bolt (not shown) being located below the guide support 86, the other end of projecting vertically upwards from the entrance of the aperture into the channel 90 as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The guide support is made from cast metal.
The shape of the underside of the slide piece 76 corresponds to that of the shape of the channel 90 in the guide support 86. The slide piece 76 is located within the channel and is capable of sliding within the channel along its length. An elongate slot 100 is formed centrally along a substantial part of the length of the slide piece 76 as shown in Figure 5. The width of the slot is greater than that of the diameter of the bolt 98. When the slide piece 76 is mounted on the guide support, the bolt 98 extends through the slot 100 as shown. A nut (not shown) which has a diameter greater than the width of the slot 100 is screwed onto the bolt 98. A handle surrounds the nut and is used to rotate the nut in order to screw it onto the bolt 98.
The bolt 98 is prevented from rotation. When the nut is screwed securely onto the bolt 98, its sandwiches the slide piece 76 and the guide support 86 together preventing any relative movement. Similarly, when the nut is unscrewed from the bolt 98, the sandwiching force is removed allowing the slide piece 76 to slide within the guide support 86.

In use, an operator would slacken the nut on the bolt 98 by rotating the handle 102 and then sliding the slide piece 76 within the guide support 86 thus moving the guard 68 sideways across the upper table 4. Once the guard 68 is located at the correct position widthwise on the upper table, the handle is then rotated screwing the nut onto the bolt 98 sandwiching the slide piece 76 and the guide support 86 together.
The construction of the height adjustment mechanism for the front section of the upper table of the present embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11.
The front section 14 of the upper table is capable of having its height adjusted.
The front section 14 is mounted on the rectangular box frame 2 using two slide guides as shown in Figure 10. The slide guides are mounted on either side of the front section 14. The slide guides allow the front section to be moved linearly at an angle to horizontal to adjust the height of front section 14. The purpose of moving it at angle is to compensate for the fact that the cutting drum 24, and hence the path swept out by the cutting blades 28 when the cutting drum 24 is rotated, is round.
Thus, as the height of the front section 14 increases, the front edge of the front section, which forms the edge of the slot 18, needs to move towards the rear section 16 narrowing the slot 18 if the distance between the edge of the front section 14 and the cutting drum 24 is to be maintained. A drive mechanism is incorporated to enable an operator to adjust the height of front section.
The description of the construction of one of the slide guides will now be given.
The design of both of them are the same.
Attached to one side of the front section 14 is a metal cast 110 as shown in Figure 10. The metal cast is attached to the front section by the two bolts 112.
Formed on one end of the metal cast is a protrusion 114 which has a socket (not shown) for receiving the end of a metal tube 116 of circular cross-section.
The metal tube 116 is rigidly fixed within the socket and movement between the two is prevented. A second metal tube 118 also of circular cross-section, but of smaller diameter than the first is mounted so that it is partially within the first metal tube 116, its upper portion extending into the end of the first metal tube 116. The second smaller metal tube 118 is co-axial with and able to telescope into and out of the first metal tube 116. The second metal tube 118 extends from the end of the first metal tube and then passes through a hole formed in a bracket 120 which is integral with 5 the metal cast 110, The second metal tube 118 can freely slide within the hole of the metal bracket 120.
A first bolt and nut 122 rigidly connects the second metal tube 118 to the top of the rectangular box frame 2. The bolt 122 prevents movement of the second metal 10 tube 118 relative to the rectangular box frame 2. The height of the second metal tube 118 above the box frame can be altered by adjusting the nut on the bolt to raise or lower the second metal tube 118.
A second bolt 124 passes through an elongate slot formed through the sides of 15 the first metal tube 116. The second bolt 124 can freely slide within the elongate slot.
The second bolt 124 acts as a guide for the first metal tube 116 allowing it to slide axially whilst preventing it from moving sideways. Nuts screwed onto the bolt together with washers provide the means by which the tube is guided. The height of the first metal tube 116 above the box frame can be altered by adjusting the nut on 20 the bolt 124 to raise or lower the first metal tube.
The two metal tubes act a guide for the direction of movement of the front section 14 of the upper table when it is moved. The front section travels in a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the two tubes 116,118.
When the front section is pushed or pulled to the left or right, the second metal tube 118 either telescopes into or out of the first metal tube 116, the direction of movement being restrained by the interaction of the two metal tubes 116,118. The angle of the two metal tubes can be adjusted by adjusting the nuts on the two bolts 122,124, thus raising and lowering the heights of the first second tubes.
A painted scale 126 has been added onto the second metal tube 118 of one of the slide guides. A metal pointer 128 has been added to the corresponding metal cast 110 which points towards the scale 126 and provides an indication of the height of the front section 14.

The drive mechanism by which the front section of the upper table is moved will now be described.
Rigidly attached to the front end of the front section 14 of the upper table 4 is a plastic bumper 130. Passing through the plastic bumper 130 is a metal rod 132.
The rod 132 is arranged in such a manner that it can freely rotate within the plastic bumper 130 but cannot axially slide through the plastic bumper 130. A knob 134 is attached to the end of the rod 132. Rotation of the knob 134 results in the rotation of the rod 132.
A hole is formed in the end 136 of the rod 132 which is opposite to the knob 134. The hole is co-axial with the rod 132. The inner wall of the hole is threaded.
Attached between the two walls 8,10 of the rectangular box frame 2 is a second metal rod 138. A threaded bolt 144 passes through a hole formed in the centre of the second rod 138 as shown in Figure 11. A nut 140 in conjunction with the head 142 of the bolt 144 holds the metal bolt 144 in position in relation to the second rod 138.
The end 136 of the first rod 132 with the hole is screwed onto the threaded section of the bolt 144. Rotation of the first rod 132 results in the first rod 132 being screwed onto the bolt 144 causing the rod 132 together with the plastic bumper 130 to move as the rod screws onto the bolt 144. Rotation of the knob 134 in a first direction results in the rod 132 and plastic bumper 130 and knob 134 moving in a first direction and rotation of the knob 134 in the opposite direction results in the rod 132 together the plastic bumper 130 and knob 134 moving in the second direction. As a first section 14 of the upper table is connected to the plastic bumper 130, movement of the bumper results in movement of the front section 14 of the upper table 4.
A locking nut 146is threadably attached onto the rod between the knob 134 on the plastic bumper 130. Rotation of the locking nut causes it to engage with the plastic bumper 130 and tries to pull the rod 132 through the plastic bumper 130.
However, the plastic bumper 130 and rod 132 are arranged so that no axial movement is allowed between the two, only rotational. This causes the locking knob 146 to lock the rod 132 and prevents any rotation thereof.

The drive mechanism is used to move the front section 14 backwards and forwards by rotation of the knob 134. The slide guide is used to control the direction of movement, the direction being restricted to that of the longitudinal axis of the two metal tubes 116,118.
The drive mechanism for the planer and thicknesser will now be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13.
An electric motor (not shown) is mounted within the base 6 of the box frame 2.
Two bolts 150 are used to attach the electric motor to the side of the frame which can be slackened off in order to adjust the position of electric motor. The spindle 152 of electric motor projects through an aperture in the side wall of the rectangular box frame 2.
Two wheels 154 are rigidly mounted adjacent each other onto the spindle 152 are shown in Figure 12.
Two rollers 156,158 as shown in Figure 13 are mounted on either side of the cutting drum in such a manner that their axes of rotation of parallel to each other and to the axis of rotation of the cutting drum 24. The first roller 156 is constructed from metal rod of circular cross section which has a knurled surface. The second roller 158 is constructed from a metal rod of circular cross section which is surrounded by rubber. Mounted on one of the ends of the two rollers are cogs 160,162 as shown in Figure 12.
Rotatably mounted onto the side of the wall of the rectangular box frame is a first gear 164. Integrally formed with the first gear is a cog which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the first gear 164. A chain 166 wraps around the cog of the first gear and the two cogs 160,162 on the ends of the two rollers 156,158. Rotation of the first gear 164 results in rotation of the cog of the first gear which in turn causes the two cogs 160,162 and hence the two rollers 156,158 to rotate. An adjustment cog 168 is rotatably mounted upon arm 170 which is pivotally attached to the first gear 164 and which can pivot about the axis of rotation of the first gear 164.
The spring biases 172 the cog 168 into engagement with the chain 166 which causes the chain 166 to be tightened. The adjustment cog 168 is used to ensure that the chain 166 is maintained at the correct tension.
A second gear 174 meshes with the first gear 164. The second gear 170 is rotatably mounted on the side wall of the rectangular box frame 2. The second gear 174 is integrally formed with a wheel 176. A rubber band 178 passes around the wheel 176 and around one of the wheels 154 mounted on the spindle 152 of the motor. Rotation of the spindle of electric motor results in rotation of the wheel 176 due to the rubber band 178. This results in rotation of the second gear 174 which in turn drives the first gear 164. Thus, rotation of electric motor results in rotation of the two rollers 156,158.
A second rubber band 180 connects between the other wheel 154 mounted on the spindle 152 of the motor and the axle 182 upon which the cutting drum 24 is mounted within the rectangular box light frame 2. Thus, rotation of the spindle of electric motor results in rotation of the cutting drum 24.
The size of the various wheels and is arranged so that the correct speeds for the two rollers and for the cutting drum are achieved by the rotation of electric motor.
The height adjustment mechanism of the lower table will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 4, 14 and 15.
The lower table 20 has four apertures formed through the four corners of the table 20, the longitudinal axes of the four apertures being vertical. The cross-section of each of the four apertures is circular, the inner walls of the aperture being threaded along the length of the aperture. A threaded rod 190 passes through each of the four apertures, the thread of the rod 190 engaging with the thread of the aperture.
Each of the four rods 190 is rotatably mounted vertically within the box light frame 2 and is capable of being rotated about its longitudinal axis. Rotation of each of the four rods 190 results in the lower table 20 moving along the length of rod 190due to interaction of the threads on each of the rods 190 and the walls of the aperture. Mounted on the lower end of each of the rods is a cog 192 as shown in Figures 14 and 15 . A
chain 194 wraps around all four cogs such that rotation of one rod results in rotation of all four rods 190. This ensures that the lower table 20 is moved up and down the uniform fashion at all four corners. When the planer and thicknesser is assembled, the lower table is mounted onto the four rods 190 so that it is horizontal.
One rod 190 extends from within the inside the rectangular frame through the top surface of the frame. A handle 196 is mounted on the top of that rod 190 and operator would rotate the handle 196 causing the rod attached to the handle to rotate, which in turn rotates all four rods due to the chain. As the rods 190 rotate, the lower table is lifted or lowered as the lower table is screwed up or down.
The rear section mounts will now be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17.
The rear section 16 of the upper table 4 is rigidly mounted to the top of the rectangular box frame 2 of the planer and thicknesser. The rear section 116 is attached to the frame using two mounts, one located on either side of the rear section. Each mount comprises a metal cast 200, a metal plate 202, four mounting nuts 204, bolts 206 and washers 208 and two attachment bolts 210 and washers 212.
Each metal cast comprises a vertical wall 214 connected to a horizontal base 216 as shown in Figure 16. The vertical wall 214 of the metal cast 200 comprises two holes. The metal cast 200 is attached to the side of the rear section16 using two attachment bolts 210 which pass through the two holes in the vertical wall 214, through the washers 212 and then are of screwed into the side of the rear section 16.
Four holes of formed through the horizontal base through which the mounting bolts 206 will pass.
Formed in the upper part of each of the side walls 8,10 of the rectangular box frame 2 are two slots 218 which are each intended to receive a head 220 of one of the mounting nuts 206, are shown in Figure 17.

The metal plates 202 comprises two holes through which the mounting bolts 206, which will have their heads 220 located within the slots 218 in the side walls 8,10, will pass. When the metal cast 200 is attached to the top of the wall 8,10, the metal plate 202 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the metal cast 200 and 5 the upper surface of the wall 8,10. The head 220 of two mounting bolts 206 are located in the two slots 218 formed in the upper wall, the shaft of the bolts passing through apertures in the metal plate 202 and then through two apertures in the base of the metal cast 200. The two other bolts 206 pass through the two remaining apertures in the base of the metal cast, the heads of those bolts been sandwiched 10 between the lower surface of the metal cast 200 and the upper surface of the metal plate 202. Mounting nuts 204 of then screwed onto the ends of the bolts 206 sandwiching the washers 208 against the upper surface of the base 216 of the cast, as shown in Figure 16.
15 By adjusting the tightness of the nuts 204 on the mounting bolts 206, the positions of the heads of a bolts can be adjusted slightly, the metal plate proving a biasing force as it is caused to flex slightly due to the positions of the heads of the bolts 206. This allows a slight amount of movement of the metal cast 200 relative to the side wall 8,10 of the frame. Therefore, by adjusting the bolts 206, the metal cast 20 200 can be angled correctly to enable the rear section 16 of the upper table 2 to be adjusted so that it is horizontal.
The dust extractor will now be described with reference to Figures 18, 19 and 20.
The dust extractor comprises a plastic box 250 having on its upper surface at one end a rectangular aperture 252 formed through the upper wall across width of the box. Located at the other end of the plastic box on the lower surface of the box is a tube 254 of circular cross-section which extends downwardly. The tube 254 is aligned with a circular aperture within the wall of the box 250 so that air and any entrained debris can pass through the tube and into the box. Two arms 256 mounted on the side of the box extend upwardly from the box 250. Two horizontal slots 258,260 are formed within the arms 256 are shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20.
The dust extractor can be attached to the top of the thicknesser and planer or underneath depending on which mode of operation the planer and thicknesser is being used.
In the first mode of operation, the dust extractor is connected to the underside of the rear section 16 of the upper table as shown in Figure 20. Bolts 262 screwed into the side of the rear section 16 pass through the upper slots 258 of the arms 266.
The bolts 262 are used to sandwich and hold the arm 266 against the side of the rear section 16. The rectangular aperture 252 is aligned with the underside of the rotating cutting drum 24. A vacuum cleaner is then attached to the tube 254. As a work piece is cut on the upper table 4, the chips formed pass through the rectangular aperture 252 and into the box and are then sucked out through the circular tube 254.
When the planer and thicknesser is used in the second mode of operation, the dust extractor is located on top of the front section 14 of the upper table 4, bolts 262 passing through the lower slots 260 of the arms are used to sandwiched the arms 256 against the sides of the upper table 4 are shown in Figure 19. Again, the rectangular aperture 252 is aligned with the cutting drum 24. As a work piece is passed over the lower table, any chips which are removed by the rotating cutting drum 24 pass through the rectangular aperture 252 and into the box 250. The vacuum cleaner is attached to the circular tube 254 in order to remove the chips from the box 250.

Claims (51)

1. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting;
a cover mounted above the upper table capable of being moved from a first position where it is adjacent the upper table and covers the lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum which projects upwardly through the slot to a second position where it is above and away from the upper table characterised in that the cover can be moved perpendicularly relative to the plane of the upper table from the first position to the second position.

2. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted on the frame using a telescopic frame.

3. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the cover can additionally be moved in a direction parallel to the plane of the upper table.

4. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover is slidably mounted within a mount which connected to the telescopic frame.

5. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the telescopic frame comprises a first tube connected to the cover which is telescopically connected to a second tube mounted on the frame.

6. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
characterised in that there is provided at least one extension to the lower table which attaches to one end of the lower table and extends from the end of lower table through one of the apertures and away from the frame.

7. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 6 wherein the extension extends in the same plane as the lower table.

8. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein there is provided two extensions, one attached to each of the ends of the lower table.

9. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;

a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table, the side fence assembly comprising a pivotal guard characterised in that the pivotal guard is mounted on to the frame via a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism comprising at least one bracket connected to the guard and a second bracket connected to the frame;
one bracket comprising an arcuate slot;
the second bracket comprising an aperture;
the two brackets being moveable relative to each other so that the aperture can be aligned with any part of the arcuate slot; and a holding member which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which is capable or releasably locking one bracket to the other to prevent any relative movement between the two.

10. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 9 wherein there are provided two brackets, each comprising arcuate slots and two brackets each comprising apertures, each of the brackets with an arcuate slot being aligned with a bracket comprising an aperture.

11. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 9 or 10 wherein the holding member locks the two brackets together by applying a sandwiching force onto the brackets to frictionally engage them with each other.

12. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 9, 10 or 11 wherein the holding member comprises a bolt and nut which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which, when the nut is screwed onto the bolt, exerts locking force onto the two brackets to prevent relative movement between the two brackets.

13. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 9, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the side fence assembly further comprises a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;
a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.

14. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 13 wherein the channel comprise at least one ridge which runs along at least part of the length of the channel.

15. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 13 or 14 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the base of the channel through a slot formed within the slide piece and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

16. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 13, 14 or 15 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the slide piece through a slot formed within base of the channel of the guide support and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

17. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 16 wherein the projection member comprises a bolt onto which can be threaded a nut to sandwiched the guide support to the slide piece.

18. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear section which are mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;

a side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table, the side fence assembly comprising a guard;
characterised in that the guard is mounted on to the frame via a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;
a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.

19. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 18 wherein the channel comprise at least one ridge which runs along at least part of the length of the channel.

20. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 18 or 19 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the base of the channel through a slot formed within the slide piece and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

21. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 18, 19 or 20 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the slide piece through a slot formed within base of the channel of the guide support and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

22. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 21 wherein the projection member comprises a bolt onto which can be threaded a nut to sandwiched the guide support to the slide piece.

23. A side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table of a planer and thicknesser;
the side fence assembly comprising a pivotal guard characterised in that the pivotal guard is mounted on to the frame via a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism comprising at least one bracket connected to the guard and a second bracket connected to the frame;
one bracket comprising an arcuate slot;
the second bracket comprising an aperture;
the two brackets being moveable relative to each other so that the aperture can be aligned with any part of the arcuate slot; and a holding member which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which is capable or releasably locking one bracket to the other to prevent any relative movement between the two.

24. A side fence assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein there are provided two brackets, each comprising arcuate slots and two brackets each comprising apertures, each of the brackets with an arcuate slot being aligned with a bracket comprising an aperture.

25. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 23 or 24 wherein the holding member locks the two brackets together by applying a sandwiching force onto the brackets to frictionally engage them with each other.

26. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 24 or 25 wherein the holding member comprises a bolt and nut which passes through the aperture and arcuate slot which, when the nut is screwed onto the bolt, exerts locking force onto the two brackets to prevent relative movement between the two brackets.

27. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 24, 25 or 26 wherein the side fence assembly further comprises a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;
a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.

28. A side fence assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein the channel comprise at least one ridge which runs along at least part of the length of the channel.

29. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 27 or 28 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the base of the channel through a slot formed within the slide piece and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

30. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 27, 28 or 29 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the slide piece through a slot formed within base of the channel of the guide support and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

31. A side fence assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein the projection member comprises a bolt onto which can be threaded a nut to sandwiched the guide support to the slide piece.

32. A side fence assembly for guiding a work piece across the upper table of a planer and thicknesser, the side fence assembly comprising a guard;
characterised in that the guard is mounted on to the frame via a slide mechanism to allow the guard to be slid across the upper table, the slide mechanism comprising a slide piece slideably mounted on a guide support;
the guide support comprising a channel having outwardly sloping walls;
a part of the slide piece being located within and capable of sliding along the channel; and a locking mechanism which can lock the guide support to slide piece.

33. A side fence assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein the channel comprise at least one ridge which runs along at least part of the length of the channel.

34. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 32 or 33 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the base of the channel through a slot formed within the slide piece and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

35. A side fence assembly as claimed in claims 32, 33 or 34 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a projection member which extends from the slide piece through a slot formed within base of the channel of the guide support and which enables the guide support and the slide piece to be sandwiched together to prevent relative movement between the two.

36. A side fence assembly as claimed in claim 35 wherein the projection member comprises a bolt onto which can be threaded a nut to sandwiched the guide support to the slide piece.

37. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
wherein the front section of the upper table is mounted onto the frame via a height adjustment mechanism;
characterised in the height adjustment mechanism comprises a guide mechanism to control the direction of movement of the front section relative to the frame and a drive mechanism to enable a person move the front section;
the guide mechanism comprise a telescopic guide comprising a first part mounted onto the frame and a second part telescopically connected to the first part mounted to the front section of the upper table.

38. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 37 wherein the telescopic guide comprise a first tube slideably located within a second tube.

39. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 38 wherein the orientation of the telescopic guide is fixed relative to the frame.

40. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 37 or 38 wherein the telescopic guide is located at an angle to the upper table so that, raising the height of the front section as results in moving the front section closer to the rear section.

41. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 37, 38, 39 or 40 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rod axially fixed at one end to the front section but which is freely rotatable relative to the front section, the rod comprising a threaded aperture located at the opposite end which is co-axial with the rod;
a threaded rod, one end of which threaded engages with the aperture, the other end is connected to the frame wherein rotation of the rod causes the threaded rod to screw into or out off the aperture to move the front section.

42. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 41 wherein a knob is attached to the end of the rod by which a person can rotate the rod.

43. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 or 42 wherein the threaded rod comprises a bolt which is attached to the frame view a second rod which connects between the inner walls of the frame.

44. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in any of claims 37 to 43 wherein a locking nut is provided which enables the rod to be locked to prevent any rotation of the rod.

45. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;

a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum;
two rollers located within the passageway;
and a motor for rotatingly driving the rollers and cutting drum characterised in that the motor is capable of rotatingly driving a drive gear via a belt 178 which in turn drives a driven gear 164 which rotatingly drives a drive cog, the drive cog in turn rotatingly driving a chain which meshes with cogs 156, 158 mounted on the ends of each of the rollers 156, 158 to rotate the rollers.

46. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 45 wherein the motor additionally drives the cutting drum via a second belt 180.

47. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 45 or 46 wherein a chain tensioner 168, 170 is provided to tension the chain.

48. A planer and thicknesser comprising a frame having a passage way which extends through the frame from one aperture in a wall of the frame to another aperture in a wall of the frame;
an upper table having a front and rear sections mounted on the frame in such a manner in order to form a slot between the front and rear sections of the upper table;
a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the frame such that an upper lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects upwardly through the slot and a lower lengthwise section of the periphery of the cutting drum projects downwardly into the passage way;
a lower table, substantially parallel to the upper table, mounted either within the passageway or forms the base of the passageway, below the cutting drum; and a dust extractor;
characterised in that the dust extractor is capable of being connected to the underside of the upper table when the upper table is being used and being connected to top of the upper table when the lower table is being used.

49. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 48 wherein the dust extractor comprises a box 250 having an aperture 252 which faces the bottom of the cutting drum when attached to underside of the top table and faces the top of the cutting drum when attached to the top surface of the upper table.

50. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claim 49 wherein the dust extractor comprises at least one arm which extends away from the box and which is capable of being attached the side of the upper table both when located on top of the upper table and when located underneath the upper table.

51. A planer and thicknesser as claimed in claims 48, 49 or 50 wherein the dust extractor is further provided with a chute.